The Pound The Pavement For Purple Committee in Neptune, which raises money for pancreatic cancer research, presented more than $35,000 to the Lustgarten Foundation at Monday’s Township Committee meeting.
The $35,158.60 was raised during the first annual 5K run/2 Mile walk held last November. The Lustgarten Foundation, based in Bethpage, NY, has provided more than $90 million to advance the diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer.
Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone and Neptune Committeeman Eric Houghtaling, who helped organize the event, said they were pleased with the amount of money raised, even though weather conditions the day of the race were less than perfect.
Last year’s race was held on Nov. 1 .and the day brought cold temperatures, along with the wind and rain.
“It was still a great event that we will continue annually…and we will beat this amount (of money raised) this year, one way or another,” Arnone said.
This year’s race is scheduled for Nov. 7
Houghtaling thanked everyone in the community who helped with the event.
“The whole township really got behind this…and it’s for a good cause that fights a deadly disease. We pledge to do better (raising money) next time,” he said.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in this county. This year alone, more than 46,000 individuals in the US will be diagnosed with this disease and nearly as many will die from it.
